Dungeons & Dragons' Most Famous Character Is Black—But There's a Catch

Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), the iconic tabletop role-playing game was created by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson in 1974 and saw a massive surge in popularity after its acquisition by Wizards of the Coast (WotC) in 1997. As the game expanded into movies, graphic media, and novels, one of its many universes stood out above the rest: Forgotten Realms, a richly detailed fantasy world filled with diverse cultures, legendary characters, and expansive lore. With over 290 novels, Forgotten Realms is the most popular and enduring setting in the D&D multiverse. There are many iconic characters in the Forgotten Realms but none have captivated readers and fans more than Drizzt Do'Urden, the heroic dark elf who has appeared in nearly 40 novels, is one of the most beloved figures in the entire D&D universe. And guess what, my fellow Blerds—he’s black!

Well, sort of...

Drizzt Do'Urden, a drow (dark elf), stands out as a unique and iconic character in the Forgotten Realms universe. Drizzt is a drow, the subterranean race of elves, known for their dark skin and their home in the treacherous Underdark—a dangerous realm of caves, tunnels, and fearsome predators. He was born into a society that is notoriously evil, driven by cruelty, and inhibited by destructive ambitions. However, he defies this norm, rejecting the wicked ways of his kin to follow a path of honor and morality, one of many reasons why he's a beloved and standout figure among Dungeons & Dragons characters.

So, yes, Drizzt is black—he’s a black elf. But the question is: Why is he popular?

How does this single, solitary elf evade the common issues that race and ethnicity seem to always rouse? D&D’s lionized dark elf has somehow captured the hearts of their core fanbase, which is famously not black.

For me, it comes down to a few key things.

First, the pretense—there is none. The drow don’t truly exist. There are no complex histories, no race relations to acknowledge and work through. It’s just a story in the D&D genre, and it’s a good one.

Second, Drizzt isn’t human, and sadly, that makes it easier to accept his differences. Drizzt’s fantastical nature doesn’t seem to trip that wire in fans’ minds—the one that makes people run to their corners and prepare to defend themselves.

And finally, Drizzt’s character represents the combination of some fundamental tropes in storytelling.

Drizzt the Hero

Heroism in a D&D story is a must, but even here Drizzt overachieves, risking his life against dragons, greater demons, and even demigods. There is no shortage of death-defying and heart-pumping heroic action in a Drizzt story. But what sets him apart is not just the battles he fights, but the values he holds onto—his unwavering commitment to justice, compassion, and protecting the innocent, even when the world around him offers only hostility and doubt. Each time he steps into danger, it's not only for glory or survival but to uphold the ideals that define him, making his heroism as much about his moral strength as his skill in combat.

Drizzt the Sage

It’s rare for a character to embody both a brash combat enthusiast and a wise philosopher, but R.A. Salvatore masterfully crafts Drizzt as an introspective warrior. Through the merger of his traumatic upbringing, dark past, and his heroic exploits, Drizzt forms a unique and profound worldview. Many of Salvatore's Drizzt novels include passages from the elf’s own journals, and through these, Salvatore convincingly portrays Drizzt not only as a prolific writer but as a thoughtful sage.

Check out Dao of Drizzt: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60323114-the-dao-of-drizzt

Drizzt the Companion

There might not be a characteristic of Drizzt that is more fitting than that of being a great companion. Often the impetus for any of his exploits is the loyalty and devotion he has toward his friends. Whether it's venturing into danger to save a comrade, standing by their side in battle, or journeying across perilous lands to ensure their safety, Drizzt's deep sense of friendship and camaraderie drives many of his greatest adventures. His bond with companions like Bruenor, Catti-brie, and Wulfgar forms the heart of his journey, showing that his strength lies not just in his combat skills, but in his unwavering dedication to those he loves.

Drizzt the Outsider

The outsider trope is about a character who stands apart. They put up a mirror to society and show it its flaws. Drizzt has been doing this from birth. In Menzoberranzan, he was unwilling to follow in the footsteps of his ancestors and their service to the spider queen. His very presence on the surface world shows his defiance, and even on the surface, he still fills his role as an outsider. Judged by the color of his skin, Drizzt often finds himself misunderstood and distrusted by those around him, despite his noble intentions. His drow heritage marks him as a potential threat, and many assume he shares the cruelty of his kin. Yet, Drizzt continuously challenges these assumptions, proving through his actions that morality is not determined by one's race or appearance.

Drizzt embodies many classic tropes in storytelling—he’s a hero, a sage, a loyal companion, and an outsider. His character resonates deeply with readers not only because of his bravery and wisdom but also because of his complex moral journey. Through these traits, Drizzt challenges conventions within the D&D universe.

However, while Drizzt’s story is inspiring, it also brings to light some deeper issues in the D&D world, particularly around the portrayal of race and skin color. The fantasy genre has long grappled with the ways physical appearance is tied to morality, and D&D is no exception.

We can’t talk about Drizzt without acknowledging some of the broader thematic issues in the D&D universe, particularly when it comes to colorism. Drizzt’s status as an outsider isn’t just due to his rejection of drow culture—it’s also tied to how the game originally depicted darker-skinned characters.

In early D&D, it was common for characters who were morally dark or evil to be physically dark as well. This led to races like the drow or duergar—the more villainous versions of elves and dwarves—being portrayed with dark gray or black skin. The very concept of Drizzt, as a dark elf defying his evil heritage, taps into a problematic trope: the idea of being “one of the good ones,” a sentiment all too familiar to Blerds.

However, D&D has made efforts to address these issues in more recent years. One of the most notable changes has been the introduction of the Aven Drow—an advanced subsect of drow who have escaped the influence of the evil spider goddess Lolth. Living in remote isolation, the Aven Drow have built a peaceful, morally complex society that rejects the cruelty and treachery of traditional drow culture. In a way, their secluded and enlightened community mirrors Wakanda, offering a fresh take on the drow that moves beyond the old stereotypes. 

Flawed origins aside, Drizzt is by far one of the most entertaining and complex characters that I’ve come across in the high fantasy genre and I couldn’t recommend him more highly. If fantasy sword and spell novels are your thing and you are looking for a long series (And 39 books is long!) to dive in and out of, then give Drizzt a try. The violet eyed, twin scimitar wielding, evil dispatching, hero from the underdark is a lot of fun. 

It also doesn’t hurt that he’s black. 

Here's a link to a list of his novels: https://www.goodreads.com/series/49134-the-legend-of-drizzt